Soap Sheet Dispenser

ABSTRACT

A soap sheet dispenser is provided. The soap sheet dispenser includes a housing having a rear wall, a perimeter sidewall, and an open front end defining an interior volume. A door is hingedly affixed to the perimeter sidewall, wherein the door is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the closed position the door encloses the interior volume. A dispenser cartridge is removably securable within the interior volume. A plurality of sheets impregnated with a soap is removably securable within the dispenser cartridge in a stacked configuration. A slot is disposed through a lower end of the dispenser cartridge, wherein one of the plurality of sheets is dispensed through the slot upon activation of a motion sensor disposed on the door.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/991,819 filed on Mar. 19, 2020. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to soap dispensers. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a soap sheet dispenser that dispenses an individual soap sheet upon activation of a motion sensor to minimize contact with potentially unsanitary surfaces.

Many public restrooms utilize communal soap dispensers to provide soap for hand washing purposes. Typically, the soap is provided in pump dispenser to dispense liquid or foaming soap to a user. However, such soaps can spill, leak, or otherwise cause a mess on the sink countertop, requiring frequent cleaning to avoid undesirable appearances. Furthermore, refiling such soap dispensers can lead to further spills and may be cumbersome or frustrating to refill regularly.

Additionally, particularly with increased hygiene awareness to combat the spread of communicable diseases, many individuals may be averse to utilizing communal items, such as soap dispensers. In some cases, motion activated liquid soap dispensers are provided to minimize user contact with communal items, however, such soap dispensers may be difficult to maintain. Often, such cautious individuals prefer systems that require no personal interaction with objects that are not disposable or individualized, such as paper towels. Therefore, a dispenser that can provide individuals sheets impregnated with soap to users upon activation of a motion sensor is desired.

In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing soap dispensers. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of soap dispensers now present in the known art, the present invention provides a soap sheet dispenser wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when retrieving an individual sanitizing sheet with minimal contact.

The present system comprises a housing having a rear wall, a perimeter sidewall, and an open front end defining an interior volume. A door is hingedly affixed to the perimeter sidewall, wherein the door is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the closed position the door encloses the interior volume. A dispenser cartridge is removably securable within the interior volume. A plurality of sheets impregnated with a soap is removably securable within the dispenser cartridge in a stacked configuration. A slot is disposed through a lower end of the dispenser cartridge, wherein one of the plurality of sheets is dispensed through the slot upon activation of a motion sensor disposed on the door. In some embodiments, at least one fastener is disposed on an exterior surface of the rear wall, the fastener configured to removably secure the housing to a wall surface.

In some embodiments, a gap is defined between a lower edge of the door and the perimeter sidewall, the gap dimensioned to receive one of the plurality of sheets therethrough. In another embodiment, a lock is disposed on the housing, wherein the lock selectively retains the door in a closed position. In other embodiments, the door further comprises a transparent panel therein. In yet another embodiment, the dispenser cartridge further comprises a window through a front side thereof, the window comprising a width less than that of each of the plurality of sheets. In some embodiments, a spring loading mechanism is disposed within the dispenser cartridge, wherein the spring loading mechanism is configured to compact the plurality of sheets towards the slot. In another embodiment, the spring loading mechanism comprises a plate affixed to a spring, wherein the plate rests against an uppermost sheet of the plurality of sheets. In other embodiments, a motor is operably connected to the motion sensor, wherein the motor is configured to actuate to dispense a sheet of the plurality of sheets when the motion sensor is activated. In yet another embodiment, the motor is operably connected to at least one roller disposed within the dispenser cartridge, whereupon actuation of the motor the roller rotates to dispense a lowermost sheet within the plurality of sheets. In some embodiments, each adjacent sheet of the plurality of sheets in interwoven in the stacked configuration, such that upon dispensing a sheet of plurality of sheets, an adjacent sheet is primed for dispensing through the slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the soap sheet dispenser.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the gap of an embodiment of the soap sheet dispenser.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the dispenser cartridge of an embodiment of the soap sheet dispenser.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of an embodiment of the soap sheet dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the soap sheet dispenser. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an exploded view of an embodiment of the soap sheet dispenser. The soap sheet dispenser 11 comprises a housing 12 having a rear wall (as shown in FIG. 4, 13) and a perimeter sidewall 14 extending therefrom, thereby defining an interior volume. The interior volume is dimensioned to removably receive a dispenser cartridge 18 therein. A door 17 is hingedly affixed to the perimeter sidewall 14 and is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the closed position the door 17 encloses the interior volume. In the illustrated embodiment, the door 17 further comprises a transparent panel 27 therein, wherein the transparent panel 27 provides a view into the interior volume. In this manner, the user can readily visualize whether the dispenser cartridge 18 needs to be refilled with additional single use soap sheets 19.

The dispenser cartridge 18 is removably securable within the housing 12, such that the user can remove the dispenser cartridge 18 for refilling when the plurality of sheets 19 are depleted. The plurality of sheets 19 are stored within the dispenser cartridge 18 in a stacked configuration to facilitate dispensing a single sheet at a time. The plurality of sheets 19 are impregnated with a cleansing material, such as soap or hand sanitizer, to allow a user to readily clean their hands. In some embodiments, the plurality of sheets 19 comprise a stabilized cleansing material in a sheet format such that the plurality of sheets 19 are dissolvable upon contact with water. In this way, waste can be minimized. In alternate embodiments, the soap impregnated within the plurality of sheets 19 is dissolvable within water, such as a dry soap activated by contact with water, such that the shelf life of the plurality of sheets 19 is maximized. In this way, the dispenser cartridge 18 does not require frequent refilling absent regular use. In the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser cartridge 18 further comprises a slot 21 disposed through a lower end 22 thereof, wherein the slot 21 is dimensioned receive a single sheet of the plurality of sheets 19 therethrough. In the shown embodiment, a window 28 is disposed through a front side (as shown in FIG. 3, 29) of the dispenser cartridge 18, wherein the window provides access to the interior of the dispenser cartridge 18. In some embodiments, the window 28 is utilized to gauge the number of sheets of the plurality of sheets 19 remaining within the dispenser cartridge 18, whereas, in alternate embodiments, the user can refill the dispenser cartridge 18 via inserting the plurality of sheets 19 through the window 28. In such embodiments, the window 28 is dimensioned to have a width greater than the plurality of sheets 19. However, in other embodiments, the width of the window 28 is less than that of the plurality of sheets 19 to prevent the sheets from exiting the dispenser cartridge 18 therethrough during use. In such embodiments, the upper end of the dispenser cartridge 18 may be removably affixed to the dispenser cartridge 18 to provide an access point for refilling the dispenser cartridge 18.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a close-up view of the gap of an embodiment of the soap sheet dispenser. In the illustrated embodiment, the door 17 is in the closed position, defining a gap 24 between the perimeter sidewall 14 of the housing and a lower edge 25 of the door 17. In this manner, upon dispensing a sheet 19 from the slot within the dispenser cartridge, the sheet 19 is guided downward upon contact with an interior of the door 17 and exits the housing through the gap 24. In this manner, the user can readily access the sheet 19 upon actuation of the dispenser cartridge. In some embodiments, the gap 24 is disposed through the lower edge 25 of the door 17, such that the gap 24 is aligned with the slot of the dispenser cartridge. In such embodiments, the sheet 19 immediately exists through the gap 24 upon being dispensed through the slot. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, a motion sensor 23 is disposed on a front side of the door 17, wherein the motion sensor 23 is operably connected to the dispenser cartridge. In this manner, upon actuation of the motion sensor 23, such as by a user waving a hand in front of the motion sensor 23, the dispenser cartridge dispenses a sheet 19 therefrom. In this manner, user contact with the soap sheet dispenser is minimized, thereby reducing the risk of contamination, or spread of pathogens caused due to user operation. The motion sensor 23 can be further calibrated to operate upon detection of motion within a threshold distance to reduce the risk of unintended activation. In alternate embodiments, the housing further comprises a manual control thereon, the manual control configured to instruct the dispenser cartridge to dispense a sheet 19 upon actuation of the manual control.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a cross-sectional view of the dispenser cartridge of an embodiment of the soap sheet dispenser. The dispenser cartridge 18 further comprises a dispensing mechanism therein. In the shown embodiment, the dispenser mechanism comprises a motor 33 operably connected to the motion sensor, such that upon actuation of the motion sensor, the motor 33 is activated to rotate at least one roller 34 disposed within a lower end of the dispenser cartridge 18. Upon rotation of the roller 34, a lowermost sheet of the plurality of sheets 19 is dispensed through the slot 21. In such embodiments, the roller 34 comprise a height equivalent to a distance between a floor of the dispenser cartridge 18 and the slot 21. In the shown embodiment, the plurality of sheets 19 each comprise multiple panels folded over each other defining a series of interwoven adjacent sheets. In this manner, upon dispensing of a single sheet of the plurality of sheets 19, an adjacent sheet is primed for dispensing through the slot 21.

In the shown embodiment, the dispenser cartridge 18 further comprises a spring mechanism having a plate 31 affixed to one or more springs 32 attached to an upper end of the dispenser cartridge 18. The plate 31 is configured to provide even pressure to an uppermost sheet of the plurality of sheets 19 to drive the plurality of sheets 19 towards the rollers 34 and the slot 21. In this manner, the plate 31 exerts sufficient pressure against the plurality of sheets 19 to ensure that the lowermost sheet is engaged with the roller 34. Once the plurality of sheets 19 are depleted, the user can insert additional sheets 19 via the window 28 within the front side 29 of the dispenser cartridge 18. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the upper end of the dispenser cartridge 18 can be removed to insert additional sheets 19 into the interior of the dispenser cartridge 18.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a side view of an embodiment of the soap sheet dispenser. In the illustrated embodiment, at least one fastener 35 is disposed on the rear wall 13 of the housing 12, wherein the fasteners 35 are configured to removably secure the housing 12 to a support surface, such as a wall. In some embodiments, the fasteners 35 are removably securable to the rear wall 13, such that the fasteners 35 can be removed when the housing 12 is being used in a free-standing manner, such as on a countertop or stand. In such embodiments, the fasteners 35 may be removably securable via friction fit or rotationally securable within an aperture via a tab extending from a portion of the fastener. In the illustrated embodiment, the fasteners 35 comprise suction cups, however, in alternate embodiments, alternate fasteners 35 are contemplated, such as hook and loop, bolts, screws, and the like. Furthermore, in the shown embodiment, the housing 12 includes a lock 26 thereon, wherein the lock 26 is configured to retain the door 17 in the closed position. In this manner, only authorized individuals can open the housing 12 to remove or refill the dispenser cartridge.

In one use, the housing 12 can be installed on a wall surface via the fasteners 35 or rested on a countertop or stand. A user can wave a hand in front of the motion sensor or actuate a manual control to actuate the motor within the dispenser cartridge to dispense a sheet of the plurality of sheets through the slot and gap. Once the sheet is retrieved, the user can spread the soap impregnated within the plurality of sheets over their hands before rinsing their hands in a nearby sink. Alternatively, in embodiments utilizing an impregnated hand sanitizer, the user can avoid utilizing a sink entirely. In this way, the user can minimize the amount of contact with communal objects, thereby reducing the risk of contracting various pathogens. Once finished, the user can throw the depleted sheet away, or in some embodiments, the sheet is configured to dissolve when contacting water to minimize waste. When the dispenser cartridge is depleted, the user can open the housing 12 and refill the dispenser cartridge with additional sheets.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A soap sheet dispenser, comprising: a housing having a rear wall, a perimeter sidewall, and an open front end defining an interior volume; a door hingedly affixed to the perimeter sidewall, the door selectively movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the closed position the door encloses the interior volume; a dispenser cartridge removably securable within the interior volume; a plurality of sheets impregnated with a soap removably securable within the dispenser cartridge in a stacked configuration; a slot disposed through a lower end of the dispenser cartridge, wherein one of the plurality of sheets is dispensed through the slot upon activation of a motion sensor disposed on the door.
 2. The soap sheet dispenser of claim 1, wherein a gap is defined between a lower edge of the door and a perimeter sidewall, the gap dimensioned to receive one of the plurality of sheets therethrough.
 3. The soap sheet dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a lock disposed on the housing, wherein the lock selectively retains the door in the closed position.
 4. The soap sheet dispenser of claim 1, wherein the door further comprises a transparent panel therein.
 5. The soap sheet dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispenser cartridge further comprises a window through a front side thereof, the window comprising a width less than that of each of the plurality of sheets.
 6. The soap sheet dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a spring loading mechanism within the dispenser cartridge configured to compact the plurality of sheets towards the slot.
 7. The soap sheet dispenser of claim 6, wherein the spring loading mechanism comprises a plate affixed to a spring, wherein the plate rests against an uppermost sheet of the plurality of sheets.
 8. The soap sheet dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a motor operably connected to the motion sensor, wherein the motor is configured to actuate to dispense a sheet of the plurality of sheets when the motion sensor is activated.
 9. The soap sheet dispenser of claim 8, wherein the motor is operably connected to at least one roller disposed within the dispenser cartridge, whereupon actuation of the motor the roller rotates to dispense a lowermost sheet of the plurality of sheets.
 10. The soap sheet dispenser of claim 1, wherein each adjacent sheet of the plurality of sheets is interwoven in the stacked configuration, such that upon dispensing a sheet of the plurality of sheets, an adjacent sheet is primed for dispensing through the slot.
 11. A soap sheet dispenser, comprising: a housing having a rear wall, a perimeter sidewall, and an open front end defining an interior volume; a door hingedly affixed to the perimeter sidewall, the door selectively movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the closed position the door encloses the interior volume; a dispenser cartridge removably securable within the interior volume; a plurality of sheets impregnated with a soap removably securable within the dispenser cartridge in a stacked configuration; a slot disposed through a lower end of the dispenser cartridge, wherein one of the plurality of sheets is dispensed through the slot upon activation of a motion sensor disposed on the door.
 12. The soap sheet dispenser of claim 11, wherein a gap is defined between a lower edge of the door and a perimeter sidewall, the gap dimensioned to receive one of the plurality of sheets therethrough.
 13. The soap sheet dispenser of claim 11, further comprising a lock disposed on the housing, wherein the lock selectively retains the door in the closed position.
 14. The soap sheet dispenser of claim 11, wherein the door further comprises a transparent panel therein.
 15. The soap sheet dispenser of claim 11, wherein the dispenser cartridge further comprises a window through a front side thereof, the window comprising a width less than that of each of the plurality of sheets.
 16. The soap sheet dispenser of claim 11, further comprising a spring loading mechanism within the dispenser cartridge configured to compact the plurality of sheets towards the slot.
 17. The soap sheet dispenser of claim 16, wherein the spring loading mechanism comprises a plate affixed to a spring, wherein the plate rests against an uppermost sheet of the plurality of sheets.
 18. The soap sheet dispenser of claim 11, further comprising a motor operably connected to the motion sensor, wherein the motor is configured to actuate to dispense a sheet of the plurality of sheets when the motion sensor is activated.
 19. The soap sheet dispenser of claim 18, wherein the motor is operably connected to at least one roller disposed within the dispenser cartridge, whereupon actuation of the motor the roller rotates to dispense a lowermost sheet of the plurality of sheets.
 20. The soap sheet dispenser of claim 11, wherein each adjacent sheet of the plurality of sheets is interwoven in the stacked configuration, such that upon dispensing a sheet of the plurality of sheets, an adjacent sheet is primed for dispensing through the slot. 